Abstract: An automatic steering system and method for an articulated work vehicle having a front wheel steering system supported by front wheels at a front frame and a rear frame supported by rear wheels rotatably coupled to the front frame at an articulator. A controller operatively connected to the front wheel steering system and to the articulator adjusts wheels of the front wheel steering system along a path and moves the articulator to direct the rear frame in response to a steering signal. The steering signal directs the vehicle in a minimum turn radius mode or a controlled traffic control mode. In the minimum turn radius mode, the rear wheels do not follow the tracks of the front wheels when making a turn. In the controlled traffic mode the rear wheels follow in same tracks as the front wheels.

Abstract: An articulation joint for a machine includes a first frame portion, a second frame portion, a hinge pin, a bearing member, a bushing member, and a washer assembly. The washer assembly includes a thrush washer and a housing. The thrust washer includes a plurality of washer segments. Each of the plurality of washer segments is adapted to be disposed co-planar and adjacent with respect to one another. The plurality of washer segments defines a central space adapted to receive the hinge pin therethrough. The housing includes a plurality of housing segments. Each of the plurality of housing segments is adapted to be disposed co-planar and adjacent with respect to one another. The plurality of housing segments defines an internal space adapted to enclose each of the washer segments therein.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a motor vehicle has a wheel carrier to which a wheel can be secured, a strut via which the wheel carrier is mounted on a vehicle body in an articulated manner, a first transverse link mounted on the wheel carrier in an articulated manner, and a second transverse link mounted on the wheel carrier in an articulated manner. The first transverse link and the second transverse link are coupled to one another on their side facing away from the wheel carrier by a connection member. The connection member is rotatably mounted on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle control device (100) including a recognition unit (130) that that is configured to recognize a peripheral situation of a vehicle and a driving control unit (140, 166) that that is configured to control at least steering of the vehicle on the basis of a result of recognition acquired by the recognition unit, and, in a case in which the recognition unit is configured to recognize a road surface inclination area in which a gradient toward a lower side in a vertical direction is formed from a flat part of the road toward a road end, which is disposed at the road end of an advancement direction of the vehicle, and the vehicle is running on the road surface inclination area, the driving control unit is configured to adjust a steering angle of the vehicle in a direction in which the vehicle is away from the road end on a side on which the road surface inclination area is present.

Abstract: A method for launching a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises, during operation with an idle engine speed prior to a pedal tip-in, increasing alternator and boost pressure while maintaining the idle engine speed, and decreasing alternator load responsive to the pedal tip-in. In this way, increased turbocharger output may be used to quickly accelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery heater includes a housing having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. A heating element is positioned within the housing in a heat transfer relationship with coolant for transferring heat to an electric vehicle battery. A thermistor is positioned in the housing to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the battery coolant. A controller energizes the heating element when the signal represents that the coolant temperature is less than a predetermined lower limit.

Abstract: A method for launching a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises, during operation with an idle engine speed prior to a pedal tip-in, increasing alternator and boost pressure while maintaining the idle engine speed, and decreasing alternator load responsive to the pedal tip-in. In this way, increased turbocharger output may be used to quickly accelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: An article dump truck has a front tractor unit connected to an associated rear trailer unit with a tipping container by an articulated coupling. The articulated coupling is operable to allow the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to pivot about a vertical pivot axis, rams being provided to turn the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit about the pivot to steer the dump truck. The articulated coupling also allows the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to rotate relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the dump truck. In addition, the front tractor unit has a front chassis mounted on a pair of wheels by an independent suspension system.

Abstract: A device and a method for engaging and disengaging a longitudinal differential (10) disposed between a forward wheelshaft (4) and a rear wheelshaft (5) of an articulated vehicle (1) which has a front element (2) and a rear element (3) pivotable about a steering linkage (6) disposed between them and which comprises a distribution box (9) which supplies power from an engine (7) to the forward wheelshaft (4) in the front element (2) via a first shaft (11) and to the near wheelshaft (5) in the rear element (3) via a second shaft (12), wherein the longitudinal differential (10) is disposed between the first shaft (11) and the second shaft (12), whereby a steering angle v formed between the front element (2) and the rear element (3) is detected by a detection means (25a) so arranged that the detection means (25a) causes a differential brake (20) for the longitudinal differential (10) to be kept locked, or braked, when the detection means (25a) detects a steering angle v which is smaller than a predetermined steerin

Abstract: A truck has improved control with a plurality of wheels each having a single wheel drive and a device for controlling speed and/or torque of the single wheel drives. The control device has a separate controller train for each wheel drive, with each controller train having a differential controller for correcting divided torque depending on steering angle and a wheel slip controller correcting the divided torque or torque value corrected by the differential controller depending on wheel slip and providing a corresponding single wheel drive torque value.

Abstract: A steering drive for a steeled wheel of an industrial truck, particularly a rear wheel of a three-wheeled industrial truck, comprising a steering bolster supporting the rear wheel which is supported to be pivotable about a vertical steering axle inside the flame of the industrial truck, a steeling motor coaxial with the steering axle, a bearing assembly between the flame of the industrial truck and the bolster, and a steering transmission between the steering motor and bolster, wherein the steering transmission has a single-stage or multi-stage stepped planetary mechanism or planetary coupler mechanism which is coaxial with the steering axle and the bearing assembly for the bolster is arranged within the steering transmission.

Abstract: A gardening vehicle, more particularly a lawn-mower, comprising two sections and a composite duct across them: a first section, which comprises a front axle, a driver's scat and a couplings for a tool; and a second section, which comprises an engine with a corresponding transmission, a rear axle and a dump box; the first and the second section, together with the duct elements, being mutually articulated about a common vertical axis so as to perform a steering action.

Abstract: A wiring and piping arrangement for a vehicle motor comprises a wheel motor connected to a wheel, a wheel support member connected to a vehicle frame through a damper, an internal gear rotatably supported on the wheel support member, and a pivot fixed to a casing of the wheel motor. The pivot is provided with an external gear meshing with said internal gear. The arrangement further comprises a wiring and/or piping for the wheel motor extended through an interior or said pivot. Since the wirings and pipings are extended through the pivot for a steering operation of the wheel motor, the wiring and/or piping are required to have slacks or extra lengths which allow only the vertical movement of the wheel, and are not required to have the slacks for allowing the lateral movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for improving the turning radius of a tractor is disclosed wherein the wheels are turned relative to the steering axle simultaneously with a pivotal movement of the steering axle relative to the chassis of the tractor. A connecting link interconnects the pivot mechanism pivotally supporting the steering axle relative to the chassis with the steering mechanism such that a manipulation of the steering mechanism to affect a turning of the wheels affects a pivotal movement of the steering axle in the same direction the wheels are being turned. The pivot mechanism allows for pivotal movement of the steering axle about longitudinally extending horizontal axis in addition to the pivotal movement of the steering axle about a generally vertical axis relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A vehicle suitable for various uses in rough terrain. The vehicle has a platform or chassis (11) suspended within a flexible frame (14). The wheels (17, 18) are mounted at opposite ends of side members (23, 24) of the flexible frame (14). The platform connects to the neutral midpoints of the frame rails so as to minimize the movement of the platform or chassis out of the horizontal plane. Rotating drive shafts may enter or pass through hollow pivot pins at the midpoints of the members of the frame (14) thereby remaining on the same plane with one another and isolated from flexing from the frame. The platform may serve as a mounting for a seat (16) of the vehicle. It may also be utilized as a support for the engine (15) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable straddle carrier vehicle structure is provided for dling various sizes of containers and outsized loads over rough, unleveled, weak and unprepared soils to meet austere requirements which are beyond the capability of commercial straddle lifts that normally operate on prepared surfaces within specific boundaries of yards and docks. Features include high flotation tires capable of operation over marginal terrain, fording capability, all wheel 360 degree steering and offset wheel yokes which permits automatic changing of wheelbase dimensions for rugged sloping terrain operations and wheel positioning for optimum mobility including lateral and oblique movement and vehicle rotation within its own length for a variety of close quarters operations. Load stabilization devices permit container securing during transit and hinged transverse members operate to reduce torsion and bending moments on the vehicle structure over severe terrain.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for the steering wheels of a vehicle. The drive mechanism includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the frame of the vehicle and a differential gear in the housing adapted to be operatively connected to the drive shaft of the vehicle. A pair of half shafts are provided in the housing which are operatively connected to the differential gear and extend outwardly from the differential gear in opposite directions generally perpendicular to the vehicle drive shaft with at least the inner portions thereof having a common axis. A pair of stub shafts are provided in the housing which are operatively connected to the half shafts and extend outwardly beyond the ends of the half shafts remote from the differential gear generally parallel to and laterally spaced from the outer portions of the half shafts. The drive mechanism also includes a mechanism for accommodating the relative pivotal movement between the stub shafts and at least a portion of the half shafts.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a main frame with rear wheels in substantially fixed alignment supporting the main frame, a steerable frame provided at the forward end of the main frame including front wheels in fixed alignment with the steerable frame and a motor mounted on the steerable frame. The front wheels are separated from each other a distance smaller than the separation of the rear wheels. A pivot connects the steerable frame to the main frame, the lower end of the axis of the pivot being in front of the upper end of the axis such that any angular displacement of the steerable frame with respect to the main frame causes a lateral displacement of the ground-engaging portion of the front wheels. Exhaust gases are directed from the motor to the rear of the main frame through a pivotal connection between a manifold and tail pipe, the pivotal connection being in axial alignment with the steering axis of the steerable frame.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for an excavator or similar vehicle having a pair of steerable wheels and a pair of fixed wheels wherein the steerable wheels are carried by a movable steering fork which is mounted on a circular-shaped rail such that movement of the steering fork around the rail causes steering of the steerable wheels. The axes of rotation of the steerable and fixed wheels remain substantially equidistant from the center of the circle defined by the rail in all positions of the steering fork on the rail. Fluid motors carried by the excavator are operatively connected to the steering fork for moving same around the rail.

Abstract: A tractor has three pairs of ground wheels: a front steerable pair, a rear steerable pair and a central pair. The central pair of wheels each are fitted to the frame through a hydraulic piston assembly that can be controlled to raise those wheels above the ground or to lower the wheels to engage the ground. The central wheels can be the same as the other wheels or traction caged wheels of hollow beams wherein a hub is connected to outer fellies with spokes. Supports interconnect the fellies at the inner or outer sides. All of the wheels can be driven independently by an engine and the central wheels are each detachable from a driven axle. The hub of the central wheels includes an outer cylindrical sleeve to which an end plate and the spokes are affixed. Each wheel is mounted on a hydraulic motor which is mounted on the tractor's frame, the forward and rear motors being turnable with the wheels mounted thereon. A hydraulic jack connected to the motors of the central wheels is adapted to raise and lower same.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle includes front and rear vehicle portions connected by a floating connector member having upper and lower vertically aligned pivot connections to the rear vehicle portion and horizontally aligned front and rear pivot connections to the front vehicle portion with wear takeup means in the pivot connections.